The Mondani Collection of Rolex Wrist...

Geneva, May 14, 2006

LOT 748

?Center Seconds? Brockbank, London, No. 1812. Made circa 1780. Fine and rare, 18K gold pocket watch with cylinder escapement, center seconds and stop feature.

CHF 4,000 - 6,000

EUR 2,500 - 3,800 / USD 3,000 - 4,600

Sold: CHF 4,484

C. Two-body, ?bassine?, polished, back with gold shutter for the winding aperture. Gilt dust cap with bayonette fixing to the movement. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minutes/seconds divisions with five-minutes/seconds Arabic numerals. Gold "beetle and poker" hands. M. 41 mm, hinged, frosted gilt full-plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, Harrison?s maintaining power, fully jeweled cylinder escapement with large brass escape wheel, steel balance with flat balance spring, single-footed cock finely decorated with a profile bust, military trophy and foliate scrolls, large diamond endstone, silver regulation dial, stop feature with a lever at 9 o'clock. Signed on the movement and dust cap. Diam. 55 mm. To be sold without reserve


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-29

Good

Lacking elements
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Brockbank John and Myles Brockbank, brothers who traded at 6 Cowper's Court, were pioneers in chronometer making. Myles was admitted to the Clockmaker's Company in 1776 and John in 1779. Earnshaw claimed that he showed them his version of the spring detent escapement and that they passed on the information to Arnold. One of their workmen, Peto, invented the cross-detent escapement, combining the theoretical advantages of Arnold's and Earnshaw's escapements; several examples by the Brockbanks survive, coupled with an overbanking device which limits the expansion of the helical spring. After Myles? death in 1821, the brothers were succeeded nephews, also named John and Myles, who traded as John Brockbanks & Company. From 1815 to 1835 the firm was called "Brockbank & Atkins', still at 6 Cowper's Court. The present watch was previously sold by Antiquorum, The Private Collection of Theodor Beyer, November 16, 2003, Lot 36.